I am very proud today. Why? It marks the 8th (yes, EIGTH) day in a row, in which my eating has been "right"! I don´t like to say on plan anymore, because, like somebody wrote to me a while back, everything we eat is on plan and affects us in some way. But I have been counting my points and sticking with them. Eight days may not seem like a lot to many people, but this marks a huge, HUGE milestone for me!! It´s been almost a year and a half since I last managed that. That sounds so sad, but for various reasons, mostly to do with severe stress, several health problems and basically dealing with the fact that I overworked myself for a long time and took a big toll of my health, which I am still building up just made it impossible. Again and again I would start strong...... for a couple of days, but at weekends at the very latest, would crumble down and dive into a caloric feast. Those aren´t excuses, just facts. And I am working very hard not to kick myself for this time. What has been has been and I just have to accept that. And it really is ok. When I look back at the years from 2003 - 2007, I can only shake my head at what I did. If I would see someone killing herself like I was doing, I would try to intervene. But it is easier to be wise afterwards. So, the past is past and I better throw away the rearview window. The future will be made of the decisions I make today, and I am making good ones.
I am not being overly focused on any one set point - well, exept that I really want to keep my eating clean. I feel so much better, body and soul, when I don´t stuff my body with junk and empty calories.
Now as to challenges - long term goals - whatever. I have the cutest new cell phone and I keep finding new things on it. One of them is a date calculator, with which I have been having loads of fun lately :) So I have set up a few things for myself.
**edit: when I woke up this morning I had the grand idea that I should perhaps add the weight with which I am working. So, my official weight from sunday for the begin of this whole thing is 97.9 kg's. I am happy to say it's already become less
B-day: My birthday is coming up soon - in a bit more than 6 weeks as a matter of fact. So my challenge is to keep my eating clean and count my points as best I can during that time. In those 6 weeks I would like to lose 3 kg´s, which is 500 grams or just over an lb per week. Sounds doable to me. A part of the challenge will be to gradually step up my exercising, without getting stressed out over it and without getting stuck in "all or nothing".
Safe into the new year: The new year is now a good 10 weeks away. And it´s a bit of a difficult time, isn´t it, with all the christmassy goodies around. So my plan for that time is to continue working on my exercise routine, to get some quality me time in (2 1/2 weeks off from work will help on that!!) and to work my points around the holiday foods. In those 10 weeks, I aim for a 5 kg. loss, that´s 11 lbs.
My funny Valentine: Valentine´s day - lover´s day. It´s now 17 weeks away!! Getting closer and closer! My goal: keep my stride on the way to fitness and preferably be a runner by then. Also to continue working my points and in those 17 weeks lose 8.5 kg´s. That´s almost 19 lbs.
March = fitness: there will be a fitness test at work for the customs officers, a part of their new contract. I plan to take part of that and ACE it!! So, untill then, I need to work on my fitness, endurance and my stretching. It involves running 2 km at a good pace, swimming, some crunches etc. So, alongside with keeping up my points, that will be my goal. I don´t quite know the exact timing for this, but it should be around the middle of the month.
April 20th - baby b-day! : April 20th is a special day for me, my baby boy will be 4 years old that day. I owe it to myself and to my family to be the best version of myself. So, untill then - it´s a bit more than 26 weeks away, I plan to have lost 14 kg´s or 30 lbs and be strong and a runner!!
Now, all the numbers I have put in there are not strict - I would certainly welcome more!! But it allows for an lb´s loss per week which is very doable and won´t put too much strain on me.
So there it is - my commitment to myself and my health. I hope all you dear friends will help me keep up with those challenges I have set for myself!
It will all be done with persistance, perseverance and endurance!!
